Each of our residents at Kew House have been given a simple red bag which comes with a checklist of items that should be packed within the bag in the event that one of our residents are taken to hospital in an emergency.

The checklist contains personal details, vital information about the residents’ health conditions, supplies of regular medicine, personal items and a change of clothes for when they are ready to be discharged.

The red bag is a way of ensuring that the essential documents and personal items stay with the resident and follows them throughout their admission and discharge.

General Manager at Kew House Care Home, Yetty Adepegba said: “We are delighted to be a part of the red bag initiative and it is particularly comforting to know that this would contribute to making the lives of residents going to the hospital easier and quicker. Kew House is committed to making the red bag initiative a real success!”

Merton GP and Clinical Commissioning Group Chair, Dr Andrew Murray said: “Like many good ideas, the red bag is a really simple concept. The vital information in the red bag helps doctors and nurses treat the patient quickly and more effectively. It also means there’s less likely to be a delay in getting the patient home from the hospital.”